Drug trade giving fears to Afghanistan’s neighboring states

Nahla Abdelmonem                                      

The Taliban’s control of Afghanistan raises questions about the possible effects this can have on Central Asian countries.

This is especially so for the movement of refugees and the suspicious trade and profiting from drugs.

The Taliban is famous for the drug trade which constituted an important financial resource for the movement.

This increases regional fears from the revival of this suspicious trade after the movement’s control of Kabul after the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan.

Regional fears

Politicians in the Asian continent discussed the effects of the security turmoil in Afghanistan on the situation in Central Asia with regard to violent gangs and the drug-trafficking mafia.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said on November 1 that his country would work hard to protect itself and Central Asian allies from the effects the security situation in Afghanistan could have on them.

He pointed out that the destabilization of Central Asia would pose great dangers that Russia is keen to avoid.

The borders between Russia and other countries in the region, he said, are open without visas designated for crossing.

“Therefore, securing those borders is of particular importance to the Russian government,” Foreign Minister Lavrov said.

He added underscored the importance of preventing the drug trade inside Afghanistan.

“We also need to keep a lid on the negative effects of instability in Kabul and present this situation from worsening,” Lavrov said.

Taliban and the future of Central Asia

The fears of regional countries from the growing drug trade in Central Asia come at a time the Taliban works hard to convince the international community to recognize the legitimacy of its rule over Afghanistan.

Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has been keen to send messages assurance to the outside world.

These assurances also included messages on the drug trade.